Students make 150 bowls for local Empty Bowls fundraiser

A group of UW-Stout students is doing its part to make sure
local residents have plenty of food on the table.

Seven members of the Ceramics Guild will be contributing
approximately 150 bowls to the Empty Bowls fundraiser, which will be held from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Menomonie Middle School.

The event benefits the Stepping Stones of Dunn County food
pantry and Menomonie Area Bread for the World.

Lunch, which includes soup and bread, is $7. Attendees can
pay $17 and keep their bowl. A silent auction, bake sale, entertainment and
family activities also will be offered.

Many other organizations are contributing bowls, food,
services and other items to the event.

UW-Stout students first created the bowls during a
"throw-a-thon" about two weeks ago, according to coordinator Katherine Marotz,
an art student from Marshfield. The process consists of wedging the clay,
throwing the bowls on the wheel and trimming and decorating them.

Then, last week, the bowls were glazed and fired in an
electric kiln.

"Students
do this because they care about ceramics and they know this work will be going
to a good cause. Members of the Guild try to work together as a community, so
if we as a group decide to do something we all try to participate," Marotz
said.

UW-Stout donated the materials and facilities for the
project.

The Ceramics Guild has helped provide bowls for the Empty
Bowls event for many years.